“Welcome to UP”, the pioneering Freshers’ Festival of the University of Patras, returns for the fourth consecutive year, once again bringing together the university community and the cities where it is based.

This year, from Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 October 2025, the University Campus in Rio and Koukouli, as well as Agrinio and Messolonghi, will come alive with cultural events, music, cinema, theatre, workshops, and other cultural and athletic activities. These will offer first-year students a warm and creative welcome, while giving all students the opportunity to meet one another, gain a comprehensive view of the academic environment, and get to know the cities that will host them.

The Ioannis & Euterpi Topalis Foundation, a steadfast supporter of this groundbreaking institution since its inception, will this year “take freshmen on a journey” through a concert by the internationally acclaimed composer from Patras, Stavros Gasparatos, presenting his work EXPANDED PIANO II. The concert will be held at the Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras on Wednesday 8 October (20:00–21:00).

The program also includes a three-day series of film screenings at the specially designed open-air venue Campus Peace Park, where audiences will comfortably enjoy award-winning films from some of the most important festivals of their kind:

• From the Drama International Short Film Festival, on Wednesday 8 October (19:30–21:00)
• From the Animasyros International Animation Festival, on Thursday 9 October (19:30–21:00)
• From the Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People, on Friday 10 October (19:30–21:00)

More details can be found in the program of the University of Patras Freshers’ Festival website:

👉 https://welcometoup.upatras.gr/